Modular Implantable Ventricular Assist Device

ABSTRACT

The invention features modular implantable ventricular assist devices configured to be, at least in part, assembled within a patient. The devices generally include a pump assembly and an expandable frame. The frame is configured to engage tissue of a patient when implanted. The pump assembly is configured to be operably coupled to the frame when the frame is implanted and in the expanded configuration.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to, among other things, implantableventricular assist devices; particularly to modular implantableventricular assist devices that can be, at least in part, assembledwithin a patient.

BACKGROUND

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are mechanical pumps that take overthe function of a damaged ventricle in a heart failure (HF) or otherappropriate patient in order to reestablish normal hemodynamics andend-organ blood flow. In addition, VADs unload the native heart allowingit to rest and, in some cases, the heart can recover function. They canbe used as short-term support (days) or as long-term support (weeks ormonths). VADs can support the right, left or both ventricles. In a leftVAD (LVAD) an inflow cannula is connected to the apex of the leftventricle and an outflow cannula is connected to the ascending aorta,whereas in a right VAD (RVAD), the inflow cannula is connected to eitherright atrium or ventricle and the outflow cannula is connected to thepulmonary artery. The pump can be placed outside the patient's body(extra- or para-corporeal devices) or within the abdomen in apreperitoneal position immediately under the diaphragm or above thediaphragm in the pericardial space (intracorporeal devices).

First generation VADs include pulsatile volume displacement pumps andtwo valves (outflow and inflow valves). The pumps are driven by eitherpneumatic or electrical drive systems. Examples of these devices are thecommercially available Thoratec PVAD, IVAD, and HeartMate XVE, and theno longer commercially available Thoratec HeartMate IP1000 and VE, theWorldHeart Novacor and the Arrow International LionHeart LVD2000.

Second generation VADs include implantable, continuous flow, rotarypumps with axial flow that offer several advantages over thefirst-generation devices. Some of the advantages are the smaller sizethat reduces the risk of infections and simpler implantation. There arefewer moving parts, absence of valves to direct blood flow, smallerblood-contacting surfaces and reduced energy requirements that enhancesimplicity and durability. These pumps have an internal rotor within theblood flow path that is suspended by contact bearings, which impartstangential velocity and kinetic energy to the blood. The net actionresults in generation of a net pressure rise across the pump. Anexternal system driver connected by a percutaneous lead powers the pump.Some of the greatest limitations of this type of device are hemolysis,ventricular suction, thrombus formation and pump stoppage. Examples ofthese devices are the commercially available Thoratec HeartMate II, theJarvik Heart Jarvik 2000 and the MicroMed Heart Assist 5.

Third-generation VADs include centrifugal continuous-flow pumps with animpeller or rotor suspended in the blood flow path using a noncontactbearing design, which uses either magnetic or hydrodynamic levitation.The levitation systems suspend the moving impeller within the bloodfield without any mechanical contact, thus eliminating frictional wearand reducing heat generation. This feature promises longer durabilityand higher reliability with low incidence of device failure and need forreplacement. Usually, magnetic levitation devices are larger owing tothe need for complex position sensing and control system that increasesrequirements for a large pump size. Examples of these devices are thecommercially available Terumo DuraHeart and the HeartWare HVAD, the indevelopment Sun Medical Technology EVAHEART LVAS and the no longercommercially available Ventracor VentrAssist.

All of the VADs discussed above include a pump external to the patient'svasculature and tubing from the pump to a chamber of the patient'sheart, aorta or pulmonary artery. In any case, implantation proceduresfor such VADs are typically invasive.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes, among other things, VADs that are implantablein a minimally invasive manner and methods for implanting such VADs. Inembodiments, the VADs are contained entirely within a patient'scardiovascular system. In embodiments, the VADs are implantedtransvascularly, which can be similar to a manner of transcatheteraortic valve implantation.

In embodiments described herein, a ventricular assist device includes aframe having an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.The frame, in the expanded configuration, is configured to engage tissueof a patient, such as an inner wall of a blood vessel, when implanted.The ventricular assist device further includes a pump assembly havingone or more components configured to operably couple to the frame whenthe frame is implanted and in the expanded configuration.

In embodiments described herein, a method includes implanting a frame ina vessel of a patient. The frame has a structural scaffold configured toengage the vessel and a lumen defined therethrough. The method furtherincludes operably coupling one or more components of a pump assembly tothe frame after the frame is implanted in the vessel.

In embodiments described herein, a method includes deploying a frame ina vessel of a patient. The frame engages the vessel when deployed. Themethod further includes operably coupling one or more components of apump assembly to the deployed frame, such that the pump assembly isconfigured to pump fluid through the frame along a longitudinal axis ofthe frame.

One or more embodiments of the apparatuses, systems or methods describedherein provide one or more advantages over prior ventricular assistdevices. For example the ventricular assist devices described inembodiments herein can be implanted in a minimally invasive manner via atranscatheter. The ventricular assist devices, in embodiments, aremodular to allow several smaller, lower profile components to beassembled within the patient. By making the ventricular assist devicesmodular and having lower profile components, the components may bedelivered via a transcatheter where fully assembled assemblies havinglarger profiles may not be amenable to transcatheter implantation. Theseand other advantages will be readily understood by those of skill in theart from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-D are schematic sectional diagrams showing stages of anembodiment of implanting a frame within an vessel of a patient andcoupling pumps or pump components to the frame.

FIGS. 2A-B are schematic side views of a heart valve, which includes anembodiment of a frame, in an expanded (2A) and a collapsed (2B)configuration.

FIGS. 3A-C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of a ventricular assistdevice or components thereof.

FIGS. 4A-C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of a ventricular assistdevice or components thereof.

FIGS. 5A-D are schematic diagrams of embodiments of a ventricular assistdevice, a delivery system, or components thereof.

FIGS. 6A-C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of a ventricular assistdevice, a delivery system, or components thereof.

FIGS. 7A-B are schematic diagrams of embodiments of a ventricular assistdevice or components thereof.

FIG. 8 is schematic diagrams of embodiments of a ventricular assistdevice or components thereof.

FIGS. 9A-D are schematic diagrams of embodiments of a ventricular assistdevice, a delivery system, or components thereof.

FIGS. 10A-E are schematic diagrams of embodiments of a ventricularassist device, a delivery system, or components thereof.

The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers usedin the figures refer to like components, steps and the like. However, itwill be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in agiven figure is not intended to limit the component in another figurelabeled with the same number. In addition, the use of different numbersto refer to components is not intended to indicate that the differentnumbered components cannot be the same or similar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description several specific embodiments ofcompounds, compositions, products and methods are disclosed. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be madewithout departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in alimiting sense.

This disclosure generally relates to, among other things, VADs that areimplantable in a minimally invasive manner and methods for implantingsuch VADs. In embodiments, the VADs are contained entirely within apatient's cardiovascular system. In embodiments, the VADs are implantedtransvascularly, which can be similar to a manner of transcatheteraortic valve implantation.

In embodiments described herein, a ventricular assist pump deviceassembly includes a frame having an expanded configuration and acollapsed configuration having generally smaller diametric dimensionsthan the expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, theframe is configured to engage tissue of a patient such that the frame isanchored relative to the tissue of the patient. The device assemblyfurther includes a pump assembly having one or more componentsconfigured to operably couple to the frame when the frame is implantedand in the expanded configuration. Thus final assembly of the deviceassembly can occur within a patient.

In embodiments, the one or more components of the pump assembly areadvanced through the patients vasculature to the frame or one or morecomponents of the pump assembly a distance of greater than 50 cm, suchas 100 cm or more, or 200 cm or more.

In embodiments, the frame, in a collapsed configuration, is delivered toa desired location of the patient via a catheter. Once properlypositioned, the frame is expanded or allowed to expand to engage tissueof the patient. In embodiments, the one or more pump components aredelivered via a catheter and are operably coupled to the expanded framethat is implanted in the patient.

In embodiments, the frame is configured to engage an inner wall of avessel of the patient, such as a vein or an artery. In embodiments, theframe is configured to engage the aorta of a patient when the frame isin the expanded configuration.

The frame of a ventricular assist pump device assembly can be a frame ofa replacement heart valve, such as a frame of a Medtronic COREVALVEreplacement heart valve, or substantially similar to a frame of areplacement heart valve. In embodiments, an entire replacement heartvalve (as opposed to just the frame) may be employed.

In embodiments, the frames include a series of wires or wire segments.In embodiments, the frames are formed from a single piece of material.For example, the frames may be laser-cut from a single piece ofmaterial.

The frames are configured such that they are capable of transitioningfrom a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. In thecollapsed configuration, the frame has a smaller diametric dimensionthan in the expanded configuration. The frame may be compressed orretained in a compressed state to achieve the collapsed configuration.In embodiments, the frame can self-transition from a collapsedconfiguration to an expanded configuration. A sleeve or other retainingmember may be used to retain the frame in the collapsed configuration.The retaining member may be withdrawn from about the frame when theframe is properly positioned to allow the frame to expand and engagetissue of the patient. In embodiments, the frame may be activelyexpanded from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration.For example, the frame may be expanded by a spring or other biasingmechanism, by a balloon, or the like.

In embodiments, the frame, or one or more portions thereof, is formedfrom shape memory material that is self-expandable from a collapsedconfiguration to an expandable configuration by the application of heat,energy, or the like, or by the removal of external forces (e.g.,compressive forces applied by a retaining member). Any suitable shapememory material may be employed. One example of a suitable shape memorymaterial is a nickel-titanium alloy, such as NITINOL.

Preferably, the frame can be collapsed and expanded multiple timeswithout damaging the structure of the frame.

A frame of a ventricular assist device may be delivered to the patientin any suitable manner. In embodiments, the frame is delivered via acatheter; e.g., a transcatheter. Examples of suitable delivery systemsfor embodiments of frames disclosed herein (and suitable frames) aredisclosed in US 2011/0098805, entitled TRANSCATHETER VALVE DELIVERYSYSTEMS AND METHODS, which published patent application is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety to the extent that itdoes not conflict with the present disclosure.

One or more pump assembly component may be coupled to the expanded framethat is implanted in the patient. The one or more pump assemblycomponents, in various embodiments, can be delivered to the implantedframe for attachment to the frame via a catheter; e.g., a transcatheter.

The pump components may be coupled to the frame or to each other via anysuitable features. In embodiments, the components are attached to theframe or each other via one way clips or retention features.

In embodiments, one or more of the pump assembly components areminipumps. Minipumps are self-contained pumps that typically pump lowvolumes of fluid, such as about 1 liter/minute. Accordingly, more thanone minipump may be employed and coupled to the frame. For example, if amicropump pumps about 1 L/min, from about 5 to about 8 pumps may bedesired to simulate cardiac output.

In embodiments, the pump assemblies are impeller-type pumps. Inembodiments, the impeller includes a shaft and impellers that arecoupled to the frame prior to implanting the frame. A housing or housingcomponents may then be coupled to the shaft (and thus operably coupledto the frame) after the frame and shaft are implanted.

With the above understanding in mind, some specific embodiments of VADs,components of VADs, delivery systems and methods are described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-D schematic drawings illustrating an overviewof a procedure for implanting a VAD as shown. A transcatheter 20 isemployed to navigate a frame 30 through a patient's vasculature to adesired location within a blood vessel 10 (FIG. 1A). The frame 30 isthen expanded or allowed to expand to engage an inner wall of the vessel10 (FIG. 1B). The frame 10 may be expanded or allowed to expand in anysuitable manner; e.g., as described above. For example, a sheath (notshown) may be withdrawn from around the frame (e.g, as described in US2011/0098805, a balloon (not shown) may be used to expand the frame, orthe like. A catheter 20′ may then be employed to navigate a pump 40 orpump component through a patient's vasculature to the implanted andexpanded frame 30 such that the pump 40 or component may be coupled tothe frame (FIG. 1C). The catheter 20′ used for delivering the pump 40 orcomponent may the same or different from the catheter 20 used to deliverthe frame 30. The catheter 20′ may be withdrawn, leaving the pump 40 andframe (collectively, the VAD), implanted in the vessel 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-B, an example of a frame 30 that is a heartvalve that may be employed for purposes of coupling a pump assembly isshown. In FIG. 2A, the frame 30 is in an expanded configuration. In FIG.2B, the frame 30 is in a collapsed configuration. In the depictedembodiment, the frame is a heart valve and includes a stent frame 32 anda valve structure 34 that provides two or more leaflets 36. Inembodiments, the frame is not part of a heart valve and thus does notinclude a valve structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-B, a sectional view of a frame 30, in thiscase an entire heart valve including leaflets 36, is shown implanted invessel 10, in this case an aorta. The frame 30 includes an extension 39to which a pump 40 or a pump component may couple. In FIG. 3B, abottom-up view of the frame extension 39 is shown, illustrating ascaffold 38 having openings configured to receive pumps 40 or pumpcomponents. In FIG. 3C, a sectional view of a pump 40 and a portion ofthe scaffold are shown, illustrating the pump 40 fitted into a seat 37or seal of the scaffold. The scaffold 38 can be part of the frame 30design or a separate section that is implanted after the frame isimplanted and attached to the main frame design. The scaffold may becrimped down to fit into a delivery catheter. Like the frame, thescaffold is collapsible and expandable. In embodiments, the scaffold canbe the frame.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, embodiments of pumps 40 or pump componentssecurably insertable into an embodiment of a scaffold 38 are shown. Asdepicted in FIG. 4A, a pump 40 or component may include a deliverysystem attachment element 41, such as a indent, detent, clip, or thelike. The delivery system (not shown) can include a complementaryattachment feature. The pump 40 or component depicted in FIG. 4A alsoincludes a sleeve 42 or other seal disposed about a housing of the pump40 or pump component. Openings in a scaffold 38 are configured toreceive pumps 40 or components (see FIG. 4B). As depicted in FIG. 4B,the scaffold may include a polyester skirt 301 or skirt of othersuitable material such that fluid flows only or primarily through thepumps.

Referring now to FIG. 4C specifically, the scaffold includes a one-waycapture element 381 and a cavity configured to receive the sleeve orseal of pump 40. The capture element 381 cooperates with the sleeve ofthe pump in the depicted embodiment to allow passage of the sleeve intothe cavity of the scaffold and to retain the sleeve in the cavity. Theouter diameter of the sleeve is greater than the diameter of the openingcreated by the capture element 381. The capture element 381 is taperedon one surface to facilitate passage of the sleeve into the cavity. Theopposing surface of the capture element 381 is not tapered and thusresists withdrawal of the pump (via interaction with a shoulder of thesleeve) once inserted. The diameter of the opening on the surface of thescaffold opposing the capture element 381 is smaller than the outerdiameter of the sleeve of the pump 40 in the depicted embodiment toprevent further insertion of the pump (beyond a point where the sleeveengages the surface defining the opening opposing the capture element).Preferably, the pump is sealingly engaged by the scaffold when seated inthe scaffold.

It will be understood that the mechanism for coupling a pump or pumpcomponent to a frame depicted in, and described with regard to, FIG. 4Cis only one example of a coupling mechanism and that any other suitablecoupling mechanism such as a clap, other snap fit mechanism, or the likemay be used and are contemplated herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-D, an embodiment of a pump assembly deliverysystem 200 for delivering and coupling embodiments of pumps 40 or pumpcomponents to an embodiment of a scaffold 38 of a frame is depicted. Thedelivery system includes a catheter body 20′ and a distal pump retentionand delivery element 25. The pump retention and delivery elementincludes an open-ended housing 28 configured to receive and retain pumps40 or pump components. The pump retention and delivery element 25 mayalso include a shaft 23 about with the pumps 40 or pump components maybe disposed. The pumps 40 or pump components have lumens or cavitiesconfigured to receive the shaft 23. The shaft 23 facilitates stacking ofpumps 40 or pump components within the housing 28. The pump retentionand delivery element 25 further includes a pushing element 27 to pushpumps 40 or pump components from housing 28 and into couplingarrangement with scaffold 38 of frame. The scaffold 38 is collapsibleand expandable; e.g. as described above with regard to other scaffold orframe embodiments. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5A-D, thescaffold 38 includes hexagonal openings for receiving hexagonally shapedpumps 40 or pump components. The first pump 40 or pump component to bedeployed may include a tip feature as depicted. The tip feature mayserve as an atraumatic tip to ease insertion of the delivery system. Thepumps 40 or pump components may be deployed one at a time into arespective opening formed in the scaffold 38. The pumps 40 or pumpcomponents may be retained relative to the scaffold 38 via any suitableretention mechanism, such as claps, one-way snap fit, or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-C, an embodiment of a pump assembly deliverysystem 200 for delivering and coupling embodiments of pumps 40 or pumpcomponents to an embodiment of a scaffold 38 of a frame is depicted. Thedelivery system 200 depicted in FIGS. 6A-C includes a catheter body 20′,a pump retention and delivery element 25 that has a housing 28, shaft 23and pushing element 27. The delivery system 200 depicted in FIGS. 6A-Cmay be operated in the same manner as, or similar manner to, thedelivery system depicted in FIGS. 5A-D. As depicted in FIGS. 6A-C, thepumps 40 or pump components may be deployed around a circumference of ascaffold 28 (which may be a portion of the frame) and then in thecenter. The pumps 40 or components may couple to the scaffold 38 or eachother through side features on the pumps 40 or components, one-wayclips, or the like. The pumps 40 or components are hexagonally shaped inthe depicted embodiment and may be coupled to form a honey-comb patternas depicted.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-B, pumps 40 or pump components are shownoperably coupled to a frame 30. FIG. 7A shows top view, and FIG. 7Bshows a side view. The arrows in FIG. 7B show the direction of flowthrough the pumps 40. In the depicted embodiment, the pumps 40 or pumpcomponents are hexagonal and may be coupled to form a honey-combpattern. The pumps 40 or pump components may be coupled via snap fit, orany other suitable mechanism, to the frame 30.

Referring now to FIG. 8, pumps 40 or pump components are shown operablycoupled to various locations of a frame 30. The length of the frame 30may be configured to accommodate any suitable number of pumps 40 or pumpcomponents.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9D, embodiments of pumps 40 or pumpcomponents, frame 30 and delivery system 200 are shown. In FIG. 9A, theframe 30 is shown implanted in a vessel 10 of a patient, in this casethe aorta. Pumps 40 or pump components are operably coupled to theframe. In FIG. 9B, a delivery system 200 is depicted. The deliverysystem 200 may be used in a manner similar to the delivery systemsdepicted in, and described with regard to, FIGS. 5-6. Like the deliverysystems depicted in FIGS. 5-6, the delivery system 200 depicted in FIG.9B includes a catheter body 20′, a pump retention and delivery element25 that has a housing 28 and a shaft 23; and may have a pushing element27. The pump retention and delivery element 25 also includes a distalexpandable and collapsible member 21. Member 21 can be expanded whilethe delivery system is navigated through the patient and can becollapsed to deliver the pumps 40 or pump components to couple the pumpsor components to a frame or each other. The delivery system 200 may beconfigured in a manner similar to a clip on a gum, but in series. Ofcourse, other suitable configurations suitable for deploying pumps orpump components may be used. As shown in FIG. 9C, the pumps 40 or pumpcomponents may be hexagonal and may be deployed in a honey comb shapedarrangement. As shown in FIG. 9D, the pump 40 or pump component mayinclude a housing 41 and retention features 42 for coupling the pump 40or component to a frame or to another pump or pump component. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 9D, the retention features 42 extend from aside of the housing 41. Any suitable retention feature 42 may beemployed, such as the hook and eye features depicted in FIG. 9D.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A-E, embodiments of a pump or pump components,frame 30 and delivery system 200 are shown. The frame 30 and pump aredelivered in three stages in the depicted embodiment. The deliverysystem 200 depicted in FIG. 10A is configured to deliver frame 30, firstpart of pump housing 41A and second part of pump housing 41B. In FIG.10B, the frame is depicted in its expanded configuration engaging anaorta 10. A shaft 403 and impeller 401, which are pump components, arecoupled to the frame 30 prior to deployment of the frame (i.e., outsidethe patient or during manufacture). The first housing part 41A iscoupled to the shaft 403; e.g, clipped to the shaft (see FIG. 10C), thenthe second housing part 41B of the pump assembly is coupled andsealingly engaged with the first housing part 41B (see FIG. 10C). Ano-ring 450, flange, or other seal may aid in sealing the two housingparts 41A, 41B; e.g., as depicted in FIG. 10E. One or more electricalcomponents for powering or controlling the shaft/impeller may beincluded with the first 41A or second 41B housing part.

The pumps, pump components, frames and delivery systems depicted withregard to any one figure or embodiment may be used or modified for usewith any other suitable embodiment depicted or described herein.

DEFINITIONS

All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonlyused in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions providedherein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequentlyherein and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having pluralreferents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” isgenerally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. The term “and/or” means one or all of thelisted elements or a combination of any two or more of the listedelements.

As used herein, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “comprise”,“comprising” or the like are used in their open ended sense, andgenerally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understoodthat “consisting essentially of”, “consisting of”, and the like aresubsumed in “comprising” and the like. As used herein, “consistingessentially of,” as it relates to a composition, product, method or thelike, means that the components of the composition, product, method orthe like are limited to the enumerated components and any othercomponents that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s) of the composition, product, method or the like.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of theinvention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same orother circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or morepreferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are notuseful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scopeof the disclosure, including the claims.

Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints includeall numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2,2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc. or 10 or less includes 10, 9.4, 7.6, 5, 4.3,2.9, 1.62, 0.3, etc.). Where a range of values is “up to” a particularvalue, that value is included within the range.

Any direction referred to herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,”“right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions and orientations aredescribed herein for clarity in reference to the figures and are not tobe limiting of an actual device or system or use of the device orsystem. Devices or systems as described herein may be used in a numberof directions and orientations.

Thus, embodiments of MODULAR VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE are disclosed.One skilled in the art will appreciate that the leads, devices such assignal generators, systems and methods described herein can be practicedwith embodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosed embodimentsare presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. One willalso understand that components of the leads depicted and described withregard the figures and embodiments herein may be interchangeable.

What is claimed is:
 1. An implantable left ventricular assist pumpdevice assembly, comprising: a frame having an expanded configurationand a collapsed configuration, wherein the frame, in the expandedconfiguration, is configured to engage tissue of a patient whenimplanted; and a pump assembly having one or more components configuredto operably couple to the frame when the frame is implanted and in theexpanded configuration.
 2. An implantable left ventricular assist pumpdevice assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame is configured tobe delivered via an intravascular catheter in the collapsedconfiguration.
 3. An implantable left ventricular assist pump deviceassembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame is configured tosecurely engage an inner wall of an aorta when implanted and in theexpanded configuration.
 4. An implantable left ventricular assist pumpdevice assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a heart valveattached to the frame.
 5. An implantable left ventricular assist pumpdevice assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pump assemblycomprises a shaft and an impeller rotatable about the shaft, wherein theshaft is connected to the frame.
 6. An implantable left ventricularassist pump device assembly according to claim 5, wherein the pumpassembly further comprises a housing having a first part and a secondpart; wherein the first part and the second part of the housing areconfigured to sealingly engage each other and the shaft.
 7. Animplantable left ventricular assist pump device assembly according toclaim 6, wherein the first part of the housing is configured to bedelivered via an intravascular catheter and the second part of thehousing is configured to be delivered via an intravascular catheter. 8.An implantable left ventricular assist pump device assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the pump assembly comprises a plurality of micropumps.9. An implantable left ventricular assist pump device assembly accordingto claim 8, wherein one or more of the plurality of micropumps areconfigured to attach to the frame in the expanded configuration.
 10. Animplantable left ventricular assist pump device assembly according toclaim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of micropumps isconfigured to attach to at least one other of the plurality ofmicropumps.
 11. An implantable left ventricular assist pump deviceassembly according to claim 8, wherein the frame in the expandedconfiguration comprises a lumen extending the length of the frame andwherein the plurality of micropumps are disposed so as to occupy asubstantial area of at least one cross section of the frame normal tothe longitudinal axis of the frame.
 12. An implantable left ventricularassist pump device assembly according to claim 8, wherein the frame inthe expanded configuration has a circumference and wherein the pluralityof micropumps are disposed in proximity to the circumference of theframe.
 13. A method comprising: implanting a frame in a vessel of apatient, the frame having a structural scaffold configured to engage thevessel and a lumen defined therethrough; and operably coupling one ormore components of a pump assembly to the frame after the frame isimplanted in the vessel.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein operablycoupling the one or more components of the pump assembly to the framecomprises advancing the one or more components through the vessel intothe lumen of the frame.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein a shaft ofthe pump assembly is connected to the frame and disposed in the lumen ofthe frame prior implanting the frame, and wherein operably coupling theone or more components of the pump assembly to the frame comprisessealingly engaging first and second housing components around the shaft.16. The method of claim 13, wherein operably coupling the one or morecomponents of the pump assembly to the frame comprises operably couplingone or more micropumps to the frame.
 17. A method comprising: deployinga frame in a vessel of a patient, wherein the frame engages the vesselwhen deployed; and operably coupling one or more components of a pumpassembly to the deployed frame, such that the pump assembly isconfigured to pump fluid through the frame along a longitudinal axis ofthe frame.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising advancing theframe through the patient's vasculature to the vessel prior to deployingthe frame.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising advancing theone or more components of the pump assembly through the patient'svasculature prior to operably coupling the one or more components to theframe.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein advancing the frame or theone or more components of the pump assembly through the patientsvasculature comprises advancing the frame or one or more components ofthe pump assembly a distance of greater than 50 cm.